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Thread: K-Billy’s Super Sounds of the 70’s.

  1. #11
    Join Date: Oct 2013

    Location: Wrexham

    Posts: 1,058
    I'm Darren.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
    A nice and neat set up.
    Thank you.

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
    One thing though, were it mine I would locate your Quad 405 'monoblocks' directly behind each speaker. That way you can minimise the length of the speaker cable.
    I had thought about this but was concerned this would be too long a run as the interconnect would be 7m long, however....

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
    I would also modify the input to the 405s so they can use a balanced-line feed from the preamp (assuming your pre has a balanced line output).
    if it (Croft) did I'd be more inclined to try it but unfortunately is doesn't, the Oppo does but I don't use it with Quads. With respect if it did I'd be more inclined to try a couple of your summer amps instead.
    Darren.
    Listening Room.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    Turn Table. Garrard 401, Reso Mat, 2 Tier Slate Plinth, DIY Hadcock GH242, Nick G modded Lentek, Denon DL-103.
    Pre Amp. Croft Super Micro2. Power Amps Quad 405 Mono Blocks.
    Speakers. TBC

    Home Cinema.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    DAC/Pre Amp. Denon AVC X3700H.
    BDP/Streamer. Panasonic DP-UB820EB / Apple TV4K.
    Display. Optoma UHD51 / DIY False Black Window Screen.
    Power Amps. 2 x Nakamichi AVP1.
    Front Speakers. DIY Baby Celestion Ditton 66. Surround Speakers. Celestion Ditton 11. Subwoofer. BK Electronics P12 300SB PR.

    Old Gallery. http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...-of-the-70%92s

  2. #12
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Excellent pics, matey, and glad that it's all starting to come together. As usual, the sesh we had on Friday was educational in its own little way, and beneficial to you in terms of fine-tuning the system. It's amazing what difference another two inches makes!

    Good luck with the OB project!

    Marco.

    P.S You have a PM.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  3. #13
    Join Date: Oct 2013

    Location: Wrexham

    Posts: 1,058
    I'm Darren.

    Default

    You know it's primarily thanks to you things sound the way they do, was going to give you a dedication in the OP but thought it maybe a little too sycophantic .
    Darren.
    Listening Room.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    Turn Table. Garrard 401, Reso Mat, 2 Tier Slate Plinth, DIY Hadcock GH242, Nick G modded Lentek, Denon DL-103.
    Pre Amp. Croft Super Micro2. Power Amps Quad 405 Mono Blocks.
    Speakers. TBC

    Home Cinema.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    DAC/Pre Amp. Denon AVC X3700H.
    BDP/Streamer. Panasonic DP-UB820EB / Apple TV4K.
    Display. Optoma UHD51 / DIY False Black Window Screen.
    Power Amps. 2 x Nakamichi AVP1.
    Front Speakers. DIY Baby Celestion Ditton 66. Surround Speakers. Celestion Ditton 11. Subwoofer. BK Electronics P12 300SB PR.

    Old Gallery. http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...-of-the-70%92s

  4. #14
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Lol... On AoS, bro, we're all here to help each other - and besides - I really enjoy the experience, especially when I see the big grin on your (and Luke's) chops afterwards!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  5. #15
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    Really great system Darren with many components I would be very happy to own myself. Indeed I used to have Quad 405 amp and the original croft micro before moving onto his more advance beasts! Also had a Garrard but it was the 301.

    So nice all this old stuff still does the biz.

    Thanks for the pics and sharing your system with us.

    Only change I would make would be to get Glenn to service and upgrade the Supermicro and try a pair of Spendor SP1 on the end.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  6. #16
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 9,228
    I'm Josie.

    Default

    Very, very groovy system, Darren.

    Love it... one of the nicest systems I've seen in ages. Well thought out, great components. Well done!

    Now... you need a shag pile rug and a rocket lamp.
    Ultrafide U500DC power amplifier - Croft Vitale )highly modified) - TRIO L-07D Turntable - Denon DL103C1 - Funk Firm Houdini - Lentek MC head amp - 15" Tannoy Monitor Gold Loudspeakers in Lockwood Major cabinets (From Trident Studios) - Tannoyista SPEC 3 Custom Crossovers - VanDamme Black Speaker Cable


    Tannoyista.com

    Facebook

  7. #17
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: Napier, New Zealand

    Posts: 1,519
    I'm Andrei.

    Default

    Nice one Darren. I always imagined that K-Billy would look like Donald Sutherland's Oddball.
    [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Sources:[/B] [B]1[/B][/COLOR] PC & Wyred4Sound DAC-2 DSDse   [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]2[/B][/COLOR] Oppo BDP105   [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]3[/B][/COLOR] Technics SL·1210 MK5 (Jelco 750D · Benz Wood).    [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Speaker Cable[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=black]Nordost Frey.[/COLOR]    [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Interconnects [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Oyaide[/COLOR][COLOR=black] & [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Geisha [/COLOR][COLOR=black]Silver.
    [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#a52a2a]Phono Stage [/COLOR][/B][COLOR=black]Fosgate Signature V2. [/COLOR]   [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Preamp [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Ayon Eris[/COLOR][COLOR=black]. [/COLOR]   [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Power Amp[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=Black]ATC P1. [/COLOR]  ​ [COLOR=#a52a2a][B]Speakers[/B][/COLOR] Triangle Magellan Cello.     [COLOR=#A9A9A9]Oh Sting, where is thy death?[/COLOR]

  8. #18
    Join Date: Oct 2013

    Location: Wrexham

    Posts: 1,058
    I'm Darren.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    Really great system Darren with many components I would be very happy to own myself. Indeed I used to have Quad 405 amp and the original croft micro before moving onto his more advance beasts! Also had a Garrard but it was the 301.

    So nice all this old stuff still does the biz.

    Thanks for the pics and sharing your system with us.

    Only change I would make would be to get Glenn to service and upgrade the Supermicro and try a pair of Spendor SP1 on the end.
    Thanks James, I take it you found the Micro 25 a step up from the Micro? At this stage I don't know whether to upgrade the Micro, swap it for a 25 or go for something with big valves? Marco will be bringing his Charisma (which I covet) round at some point, I've heard it against little valves and always thought the Charisma came out on top.

    Quote Originally Posted by The Black Adder View Post
    Very, very groovy system, Darren.

    Love it... one of the nicest systems I've seen in ages. Well thought out, great components. Well done!

    Now... you need a shag pile rug and a rocket lamp.
    Thanks Joe, I'm always on the look out for a vintage lava lamp. I did have a Fat Lava lamp in there a couple of years ago but swapped it for the Angelpoise. I do still have a penchant for West German pottery .

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrei View Post
    Nice one Darren. I always imagined that K-Billy would look like Donald Sutherland's Oddball.
    Lol! After seeing SW (on TV) I can't imagine anyone else now, I think he looks and acts exactly like he sounds. Further to the conversation we had (probably coming on for 12 months ago) about the Oppo your concerns over the digital volume control were correct, I'm still happy with it but I'm going to struggle not to look at AV pre / processors now .
    Last edited by DarrenHW; 05-08-2015 at 07:49.
    Darren.
    Listening Room.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    Turn Table. Garrard 401, Reso Mat, 2 Tier Slate Plinth, DIY Hadcock GH242, Nick G modded Lentek, Denon DL-103.
    Pre Amp. Croft Super Micro2. Power Amps Quad 405 Mono Blocks.
    Speakers. TBC

    Home Cinema.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    DAC/Pre Amp. Denon AVC X3700H.
    BDP/Streamer. Panasonic DP-UB820EB / Apple TV4K.
    Display. Optoma UHD51 / DIY False Black Window Screen.
    Power Amps. 2 x Nakamichi AVP1.
    Front Speakers. DIY Baby Celestion Ditton 66. Surround Speakers. Celestion Ditton 11. Subwoofer. BK Electronics P12 300SB PR.

    Old Gallery. http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...-of-the-70%92s

  9. #19
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DarrenHW View Post
    Thanks James, I take it you found the Micro 25 a step up from the Micro? At this stage I don't know whether to upgrade the Micro, swap it for a 25 or go for something with big valves? Marco will be bringing his Carisma (which I covet) round at some point, I've heard it against little valves and always thought the Carisma came out on top.



    Thanks Joe, I'm always on the look out for a vintage lava lamp. I did have a Fat Lava lamp in there a couple of years ago but swapped it for the Angelpoise. I do still have a penchant for West German pottery .



    Lol! After seeing SW (on TV) I can't imagine anyone else now, I think he looks and acts exactly like he sounds. Further to the conversation we had (probably coming on for 12 months ago) about the Oppo your concerns over the digital volume control were correct, I'm still happy with it but I'm going to struggle not to look at AV pre / processors now .
    Hi Darren,

    my recommendation if you are thinking of replacing the Croft micro would be to listen to a Firebottle KIN, although I am sure the Charisma X is also a good way to go.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  10. #20
    Join Date: Oct 2013

    Location: Wrexham

    Posts: 1,058
    I'm Darren.

    Default

    Thanks James, I borrowed the loaner FB and was very impressed by it but found the presentation a little to far forward for my taste, in my system. I think the 401 and 405 are quite forward in their sound and with the FB this was not the sound I was looking for. From what I'd heard of Crofts they had a deeper presentation which I preferred so I bought the Micro 2 as a cheap way to get a feel for the Croft sound in my system. I do prefer the presentation of the Micro 2 but can hear where it was bettered by the FB. I did consider a FB with a passive as I think this would offer a great VFM solution.
    Darren.
    Listening Room.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    Turn Table. Garrard 401, Reso Mat, 2 Tier Slate Plinth, DIY Hadcock GH242, Nick G modded Lentek, Denon DL-103.
    Pre Amp. Croft Super Micro2. Power Amps Quad 405 Mono Blocks.
    Speakers. TBC

    Home Cinema.
    UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    DAC/Pre Amp. Denon AVC X3700H.
    BDP/Streamer. Panasonic DP-UB820EB / Apple TV4K.
    Display. Optoma UHD51 / DIY False Black Window Screen.
    Power Amps. 2 x Nakamichi AVP1.
    Front Speakers. DIY Baby Celestion Ditton 66. Surround Speakers. Celestion Ditton 11. Subwoofer. BK Electronics P12 300SB PR.

    Old Gallery. http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...-of-the-70%92s

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